Man, 84, on 15 charges of rape

By unknown -
21 May 2007 - 02:00

McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

An 84-year-old Mpumalanga traditional healer facing 15 charges of rape had his case postponed on Friday.

Mgudwa Malinga and his co-accused, Lina Zwane, 30, appeared before magistrate Godfrey Netshiozwi in the Carolina regional court but their case was postponed to next month pending the decision of the directorate of public prosecutions.

Malinga is alleged to have raped young girls, who he had been keeping as sex slaves at his farm. They were aged between four and 15. Every night, the girls reportedly paraded naked before him in order for him to choose one to spend the night with.

After learn ing that the police were looking for him, he handed himself to Carolina police. His bail application failed twice because it was opposed by the area social worker, and the investigating officer, Constable Gloria Langa, and the ANC Women's League.

During his last bail application, the defence brought two witnesses, one of them the mother of a six-year-old victim, and a woman living on his farm.

During cross-examination, the victim's mother conceded that she took her daughter to Malinga where she spent two years. She said Malinga used to pay her during her daughter's stay at the farm

Another witness, Nolia Mnisi, 66, told the court that because of Malinga's continued detention, his patients were missing out on their treatment. But a social worker handling the case submitted that it was in the interests of the victims that Malinga should remain in custody. Constable Langa also objected to the bail because Malinga had reportedly threatened her with violence.

Meanwhile, Zwane had her bail extended and the court heard that attorney P Slabbert would represent her.